News & Observer | newsobserver.com | The class of 2008

Published: May 15, 2008 12:30 AM
Modified: May 15, 2008 02:43 AM

The class of 2008

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A look at this year's other N.C. Sports Hall of Fame inductees, listed in alphabetical order:

TOM BUTTERS

ADMINISTRATION

Served as the director of athletics at Duke for two decades. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan and a former professional baseball pitcher, Butters came to Duke in 1967 as director of special events. He left a firm imprint on the university by raising millions of dollars to improve facilities and by instituting a scholarship endowment program that has been emulated elsewhere.

RICHARD CHILDRESS

MOTORSPORTS

The NASCAR team owner has won six Sprint Cup Series championships with Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel, 11 total championships, the Nationwide Series championship in 2001 and the Truck Series title in 1995. Childress drove his own car from 1969-1981, and he had six top-five and 76 top-10 finishes.

LEO HART

FOOTBALL

A Duke quarterback from 1968-70, the Kinston native passed for 6,116 yards. He is the only quarterback to be voted first-team All-ACC three times, the only player to lead the ACC in passing yardage three seasons and the only player to lead the ACC in total offense three seasons. He has remained active with his alma mater and helped lead the fund-raising for the Yoh Football Building.

BILL HENSLEY

ADMINISTRATION

Co-founder of N.C. Sports Hall of Fame who served as sports information director at Wake Forest and N.C. State. Hensley established his own public relations firm 30 years ago and has coordinated media and promotions for 20 major golf tournaments, including five U.S. Opens.

KEN HUFF

FOOTBALL

Earned first-team All-America and All-ACC honors in 1974 while anchoring the University of North Carolina's offensive line that helped the Tar Heels accumulate 4,691 yards. He also won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the most outstanding blocker in the ACC. Later Huff had an outstanding career in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts and Washington Redskins.

FRED "CURLY" NEAL

BASKETBALL

One of the most magical dribblers and shooters in basketball history, Neal played in more than 6,000 games in 97 countries as a key member of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters for 22 seasons. Before joining the Trotters, Neal starred at Greensboro Dudley High and Johnson C. Smith.

ROY WILLIAMS

BASKETBALL

A Buncombe County native, Williams coached the 2005 Tar Heels men's team to the NCAA championship. He ranks first among active coaches with an .801 winning percentage. Williams was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.

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